Reversible regulator for dispensing mechanism for articles in staggered stacks



Dec. 20, 1966 REVERSIBLE Filed March 17, 1965 H. R PAYNE 3,292,816

REGULATOR FEJR DISPENSING MECHANISM FOR ARTICLES IN STAGGERED STACKS sSheets-Sheet 1 HARRY R. PAYNE C /97 2mm MM 9% ATTORNEYJ 3,292,816PENSING MECHANISM FOR Dec. 20, 1966 H. R. PAYNE REVERSIBLE REGULATOR FORDIS ARTICLES IN STAGGERED STACKS Filed March 17, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 2FIG. 2.

HARRY 1R. PAYNE ATTORNEYS Dec. 20, 1966 H. R. PAYNE 3,292,816

REVERSIBLE REGULATOR FOR DISPENSING MECHANISM FOR ARTICLES IN STAGGEREDSTACKS 7 Filed March 17, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent MREVERSIBLE REGULATOR FOR DISPENSING MECHANISM FOR ARTICLES IN STAG-GERED STACKS Harry R. Payne, Chattanooga, Tenn., assignor to The SeeburgCorporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 17,1965. Ser. No. 440,467 5 Claims. (Cl. 2219) This invention relates to areversible regulator for dispensing mechanisms for dispensing a singlearticle at a time from a plurality of articles arranged in staggeredstacks of articles utilizing a portion of the mechanism generallydisclosed in my copending application Ser. No. 369,674, filed May 25,1964.

Even more particularly this invention relates to a mechanism fordispensing a single article at a time from staggered stacks of articlesin which the releasing and dispensing mechanisms are actuated by theweight of the articles in the staggered stacks of articles and releaseof the releasing and dispensing mechanisms for dispensing a singlearticle at a time from the staggered stack of articles is actuated byelectrically energized means,

Even more particularly still this invention relates to a dispensingmechanism for dispensing one at a time an article such as a single canor bottle from staggered stacks of articles, can or bottles, hereinafterreferred to for convenience as bottles, in which the weight of thebottles in the stacks actuates the releasing and dispensing mechanisms.The mechanism is released for the dispensing of a single bottle at atime by electrically energized means which may be energized from anysuitable source and controlled by any suitable switch mechanism whichswitch mechanism may preferably be actuated by the deposit of a coin.

At the present time articles such as bottles of popular beverages areusually stored for selective sale in refrig erated cabinets with coinrelease mechanisms for dispensing one bottle at a time. In thesecabinets the bottles may be disposed on sloping shelves arranged oneshelf above the other or the bottles may be arranged in verticalstaggered stacks in side by side bins. In the first type of dispenser inwhich the bottles are arranged on sloping shelves, the lowermost bottleon each shelf may move by gravity to a position where it can bewithdrawn manually by the purchaser after a coin has been deposited torelease a locking mechanism allowing withdrawal of one bottle at a time.

In the second type of apparatus, in which the bottles are arrangedvertically in columns in staggered stacks in side by side bins, variousdevices have been used for releasing one bottle at a time on the depositof a suitable coin. Usually this release mechanism is driven by anelectric motor and moves from beneath one bottle in the selected columnin the selected staggered stack to a position beneath the next bottle toprevent more than one bottle from being dispensed at a time.

The first type of dispenser has advantages of relatively simpleconstruction and the merchandise is visible for selection by thepurchaser. A variety of types of beverage can be sold in this machinedepending only on the number of sloping shelves provided. Thismultiplicity of variety is disadvantageous to the supplier who may placethe machine on location since the machine can then be used for vendingproducts other than those of the supplier.

In the second type of dispenser in which the bottles are arranged instaggered stacks it has been found that the practical size of thecooler, doors and the like of the apparatus limits the number of doublecolumn staggered stacks side by side in the cabinet. The number 3,2 92,81 6- Patented Dec. 20, 1966 of selections are therefore limited in amachine of maximum size. This is advantageous to the supplier since itlimits the number of beverages that can be sold other than those of thesupplier. A further advantage is that more bottles can be stored in thestaggered stack type dispenser than in the shelf type machine. However,in the staggered stack machine, the delivery mechanism is usuallymotor-driven; it is expensive; and there is always the possibility of amechanical jam of the mechanism in the automatic, positive drive of thedispensing mechanism for the bottles.

' Heretofore, it has been proposed to dispense from stacks of bottlesless than two diameters of the bottles in width with mechanism forholding the lowermost bottle in the stack first on one side of the stackand then on the other side of the stack. One such proposal is found inUS. Patent No. 3,107,812 to Harry R. Payne and Jack M. Womack, forDispensing Mechanism for Articles in Staggered Stack and owned by theassignee hereof. In the present invention the bottles being dispensedmove the holding mechanism and particularly the latching portion thereofto the opposite position to support the next bottles on the oppositeside of the stacks.

In the dispensing mechanism proposed in the present application thelatch is actuated by the weight of the stacks of bottles to release thebottles to be dispensed and is moved by the weight of the bottles toposition to latch the support for the opposite and next bottle in thestack.

The dispensing mechanism of the present concept is relativelyinexpensive to make, use and service, and permits dispensing at a fastrate without damage to the mechanism. The speed of actuation isadvantageous in rush hours, permitting maximum sales. The mechanism ofthe present concept provides maximum capacity of bottles; is simple toservice; it eliminates vending errors; and is foolproof in operation.

A regulator is provided with the mechanism of the present concept of thetype described in my copending application, Ser. No. 369,674, filed May25, 1964, which returns the bottle supports to normal and stand-byposition and is provided with means for reversal thereof should asupport be jammed in partially lowered position to free the support.

In the present dispenser, when a coin is deposited or a switch in anelectric circuit momentarily closed, a short pulse of electric currentpasses to an electrically energized means which sufiices to actuate thismeans. This means then lifts a latch which in turn releases a rock platereleasing a support beneath the lowermost bottle in the staggered stackof bottles. At the same time the regulator is actuated to provide slackto a non-extensible flexible element beneath the supports. The releasedsupport then moves the rock plate out of its path and into position tolock the opposite bottle support. The descending stack of bottlesrotates the opposite bottle support arm into engagement with the rockplate and continues until the rock plate is rotated to a lockedposition, preventing further downward movement of the stack of bottles.The released support arm continues to rotate in a downward directionunder the weight of the bottle at a rate determined by the regulator.One bottle only is then dispensed. The lowermost bottle thus moves withcontrolled speed toward dispensing position and the stack of bottlesmove slowly and with controlled speed downwardly until the next bottlein the stack of bottles engage the opposite bottle support. Thereafter,the first support is returned to its upper, stand-by and bottlesupporting position by the regulator retensioning the flexiblenon-extensible element with the rock plate locking the opposite bottlesupport against movement.

Should the bottle support jam during downward movement as by thepresence of ice, rust or dirt and fail to release the bottle,theregulator during retensioning of the flexible non-extensible elementwill be reversed automatically when the flexible element engages thejammed support to provide slack to the flexible element. The jar thusgiven the jammed support will usually tree the suport and the bottlewill be dispensed. The reversed movement of the regulator is thenautomatically ended and the normal cycle resumed. V

This reversing cycle for the regulator will be repeated automatically asmany times as may be required to tree the support.

The electrically energized or actuated means may be a solenoid, anelectric motor or other suitable electrically actuated device forlifting the latch. The regulator is preferably energized by a reversibleshielded pole, tandem electric motor in the circuit with the device forlifting the latch.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a noveldispensing mechanism for dispensing one at a time a single article suchas a bottle from a staggered stack of bottles which mechanism isactuated by the weight of the bottles in the staggered stack atcontrolled speed and is released for freeing a bottle by electricallyenergized means actuating a latch with electrically actuated regulatormeans controlling the dispensing mechanism, .one bottle being dispensedat a time, and the regulator =be-ing automatically reversed in case of ajammed support to free the support and the bottle to be dispensed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a dispensingmechanism in which the electrically energized means is a solenoid whichis momentarily actuated, on the deposit of a coin or by the momentaryclosing of a switch in its circuit, to raise a latch. This permits asupport beneath the lowermost bottle'in the stack of bottles to swingdownwardly under the weight of the bottles into engagement with anelectrically energized regulator :to release the lowermost bottles inthe stack. The next bottle in the stack engages an oppositely disposedsupport which prevents this bottle from being released and supports allof the remaining bottles in the stack. The first support is thenreturned to its upper position by the regulator which returns to itsinitial position. Should the first support jam in partially loweredposition, the regulator reverses automatically and then automaticallyresumes normal cycle to free the jammed support.

Other and further objects of the present invention will appear from thefollowing description of an illustrative embodiment thereof.

The illustrative embodiment of the present invention, as describedhereinafter, should in no Way be construed as defining or limiting theinvention and reference should be had to the appended claims todetermine the scope of the present inventive concept.

In the accompanying drawings, in which like reference charactersindicate like parts,

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention showingthe relative position of the parts thereof with the regulator in itsnormal or stand-by position only one stackof bottles being shown forsimplicity of disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a view partly in section of the embodiment of FIG. 1 on theline 2-2 thereof;

FIG. 3 is a partial view of FIG. 2 showing the position of the parts forreversal of the regulator when a support is jammed; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, partially insection, at the beginning of the dispensing cycle for the 'lower rightbottle in the stack.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, bins for the sta gered stacks of bottlesare provided having side walls 11 and 12 and front and rear Walls 13 and14. The side walls of the bins are spaced apart less than twice thediameter of the bottles to be dispensed so that the bottles will liebetween the walls in staggered stacks, in known manner. The front andrear walls 13 and 14 are spaced to accommodate the lengths of thebottles to be dispensed. Brackets 15 are formed on the central portionof front wall 13. Solenoid 16 which is provided with plunger 17 ismounted on front wall 13. Plunger 17 has a rigid head 18 which inlowermost position lies adjacent to bracket 15. Arm 20 is pivotallymounted on from and is supported on front wall 13. Face plate 30' isbored adjacent its central lower portion at 33 to receive pivot 34 ofrock plate 35. An arcuate slot 129 is provided in rock plate 35 in whichstop pin 130 is re-:

ceived, pin 130 being. mounted on face plate 30 and limits arcuatemovement of rock plate 35. Rock plate 35 has an arcuate upper edge 36which is provided with a notch formed by spaced stops 37 and 38. Instand by position tongue 25 of latch 24 lies between stops 37 and 38.Rock plate 35 is reduced in width below pivot 35 to form shank 39.Beneath shank 39 rock plate 35 is widened to support tumbler plates 79and 80. Tumbler plates 79 and '80 are pivoted at 42 and 43,respectively, on shank 39. Shank 39 has out-turned portion 44 separatingthe tumbler plates. plates into engagement with portion 44.

In the position shown in FIG. 1, tumbler plates 79 i and overliecut-away portions 46 and 47, respectively, which are let into front wall13.

A bottle support rod 58 extends the full length of the device beingjournaled in back 14 and extends through cut-away portion 47. Rod '58 isprovided with an arm 60 which is journaled in support plate 13 at 61.

An opposed bottle support rod 59 extends the full length of the devicebeing journaled in back 14 and extends through cut-away portion 46 andis provided with an arm 63 which is journaled at 64 in support plate 13.

A flexible non-extensible element such as a chain 89 is fastened to wall13 at and passes beneath rock plate 35. Chain 89 passes over rollers 91,73 and 73 and under roller 74, all being mounted for rotation on :frontwall 13. The other end of chain 89 is secured at 92 to verticallyrecipro-cable plate 77 mounted on'side 11 by pin and slot connectors 78.A horizontal groove 76 is provided at the bottom of plate 77 which isengaged by pin 81 mounted on disc 93. Disc 93 is rotated by shaft 94 ofreversible, shaded pole, tandem electric motor 95.

Motor 95 is mounted on bracket 96 secured to side wall 11. A limitswitch 97 is actuated by finger 82 on disc 93, as will appear more fullyhereinafter, to deenergize motor 95 after .disc 93 has made one completerotation from and back to the position shown in FIG. 1.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, plate 77 terminates at its lower endin an L-shaped head 100 and is turned up at 101 to form the lower edgeof groove 76. Piece 102 is welded to head 100 opposite edge 101 to formthe other edge of groove 76. A rocker piece 103 is pivoted at 104 tohead 100 andis turned up at 105 to form an edge spaced from and parallelto piece 102. A spring or piece of resilient material 106 is placedbetween edges 102 and 105. Rocker piece 103 is also turned at 107 toform an extension of plate 102 and of the upper edge of groove 76. Areversing switch 108 is mounted on plate 77 above rocker piece 103 andis provided with a downward-1y extending actuator arm or toggle 109 andis suitably connected to motor 95. Rocker piece 103 is provided with aninturned finger 110 to engage toggle 109. A flapper plate 111 is pivotedat 112 to switch 108 A spring 45 urges the tumbler.

and is mounted to be rotated into engagement with toggle 109-by finger82 on disc 93.

Assuming the switches of FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 to be in their normalpositions as shown, deposit of a coin in the mechanism to obtain abottle of beverage or other goods will cause current to fiow to solenoid16. Solenoid 16 is energized raising latch 24 which releases a bottle,as will appear more fully hereinafter.

Current then flows through switch 108 to start motor 95.

Motor 95 then begins to rotate shaft 94 which through disc 93 closesswitch 97. Motor 95 revolves disc 93 through one complete revolutionwhich then through finger 82 opens switch 97. The circuitry is nowdeenergized and motor 95 stops. In the meantime a bottle has beenreleased, all as will appear more fully hereinafter.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, FIG. 1 shows the mechanism in stand-bycondition with bottles 150 in staggered stack with the lower rightbottle supporting the stack of bottles and resting on support rod 58.When a coin is inserted in the mechanism, solenoid 16 is energized tolift latch 24 and free tongue 25 from the notch in rock plate 35 formedby shoulder 37. The weight of the stack of bottles on rod 58 moves rod58 downwardly and through tumbler 80 moves rock plate 35 in a clockwisedirection as seen in these figures so that latch 24 rides momentarily onthe left portion of surface 36 (FIG. 4), and pin 130 engages the leftend of slot 129. At the same time, motor 95 is energized and disc 93 isrotated in a counterclockwise direction as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3supplying slack to member 89 which permits rod 58, under the weight ofthe stack of bottles 150, to descend slowly. In the meantime, rock plate35 has moved into position to support rod 59 which now receives theweight of the stack of bottles rotating rock plate 35 counterclockwiseso that tongue 25 of latch 24 is engaged against stop 38.

When rod 58 has descended to its lowermost position, it frees the lowerright bottle 150. Engagement of tongue 25 of latch 24 with stop 38 locksrock plate 35 in position and locks support rod 59 in position.

With support rod 58 in its lowermost position, the lower right bottle150 is released and the lower left bottle of the stack of bottles comesto rest on support rod 59 and is supported thereon. Rod 59 cannot movebecause it is a part of and locked with rock plate 35.

Thereafter, counterclockwise rotation of disc 93 continues and the slackin element 89 is retrieved raising support rod 58 rotating tumbler 80out of the way. Rod 58 then returns to its normal raised position. Atthis point switch 97 is opened by finger 82 on disc 93 and the motorcircuit is broken and the mechanism comes to rest having dispensed onebottle.

When the next cycle of operation of the apparatus is begun by thedeposit of a coin, it will be noted, that the lower left bottle in thestack rests on rod 59 and supports the weight of the stack of bottles150. Deposit of the coin energizes solenoid 16, as above described,lifting latch 24 and releasing rock plate 35 which is then rotated incounterclockwise direction, and support rod 59 descends in engagementwith element 89 with latch 24 momentarily engaging the right side ofsurface 36 with pin 130 engaging the right end of slot 129. Motor 95 isenergized, as above described, and disc 93 starts its single revolutionin counterclockwise direction to provide slack for element 89 whichpermits support rod 59 to descend. Rock plate 35 is now moved inclockwise direction by the weight of the bottles on rod 58 and bringstumbler 79 into position to support rod 59 when it returns. Tongue 25 oflatch 24 now engages stop 37 and rock plate 35 is locked in position.

Motor 95 continues its rotation to complete the single revolution ofdisc 93 and this rotation of disc 93 retrieves the slack in member 89which returns support rod 59 to its upper position tripping tumbler 79during its return.

When the disc 93 completes its single rotation, switch 97 is actuatedand breaks the circuit to electric motor and the mechanism is lockedagainst further dispensing action until another coin is inserted.

The cycle of this mechanism as described above in detail is the normalcycle of operation and will function in normal manner except in aboutone out of every five thousand cycles. During one such abnormal cyclelet it be assumed that support rod 58 has descended partially and thenjams by reason of accumulation of ice, rust, dirt or the like. Thebottle 150 resting on rod 58 will not be moved to dispensing positioneven though slack is provided for element 89 which would normally permitrod 58 to move to dispensing position.

Motor 95 continues to rotate disc 93 and, after slack has been given toelement 89, this slack is retrieved and element 89 is tensioned andcomes into engagement with rod 58 in its partially lowered position.This occurs before finger 82 engages and opens limit switch 97. At thispoint pin 81 of disc 93 is somewhere beneath flange 107 of rocker piece103. The engagement of element 89 with rod 58 would normally tend tostall motor 95 but because of resilient pad 106 pin 81 is rotatedfurther by motor 95 rocking plate 103 about pivot 104 bringing fingerinto engagement with and actuating toggle 109 of reversing switch 108.Actuation of reversing switch 108 then reverses motor 95 and disc 93 andpin 81 are rotated in a clockwise direction, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3,thus providing slack for element 89.

The jarring action thus performed on rod 58 usually is suflicient tofree rod 58 which then moves downward with the slack in element 89 anddispenses the bottle resting thereon.

Further clockwise rotation of disc 93 brings finger 82 thereon intoengagement with flapper plate 111 and swings plate 111 into engagementwith toggle 109 and moves switch 108 to its normal position againreversing motor 95. Motor 95 then rotates disc 93 and pin 81 incounterclockwise direction retrieving the slack in element 89 during theappropriate portion of the cycle of rotation and bringing finger 82 intoengagement with and opening limit switch 97 to end the cycle anddeenergize motor 95.

The mechanism is now in normal stand-by position since rod 58 wasreturned to its normal position when the slack was retrieved fromelement 89 before switch 97 was opened.

The above-described reversing of the regulator will occur should eitherrod 58 or 59 of any of the stacks in the machine become jammed inpartially lowered position and one reversing cycle is usually sufiicientto free the rod. However, if one reversing cycle does not free the jam,the reversing cycle will be repeated automatically as often as may berequired to free the jam or until the conventional safety fuse in themotor circuit burns out requiring a servicing of the mechanism.

It should now be apparent to those skilled in the art that the presentinvention in every way satisfies the several objectives discussed above.

Changes in or modifications to the above-described illustrativeembodiment of this invention may now be suggested without departing fromthe present inventive concept. For example, the concept is not limitedto but a single staggered stack. A plurality of staggered stacks may bearranged in side by side relationship. Separate electrical circuits canbe used with each stack to provide for selective choice of beverage orother goods in the bottles. Only one regulator would be required and itwould be actuated during the appropriate portion of the cycle ofoperation for each stack and will reverse automatically, as described,to free a jammed support rod at any stack. FIGS. 1 and 4 are brokenvertically to indicate the location of additional staggered stacks.Reference should therefore be had to the appended claims to determinethe scope of this invention.

What is claimed is: p

1. A mechanism for dispensing a single bottle at a time from a stack ofbottles in a bin, comprising supports for said bottles adjacent thelower end of the bin mounted for downward rotary movement for releasingthe bottle to be dispensed, a regulator for control of releasing of thebottle to be dispensed disposed beneath said supports in stand-byposition for engagement by said supports, motor means for driving saidregulator during movement of one of said supports maintaining engagementbetween said one of said supports and said regulator, means forreversing said motor means, means displaced by engagement of saidregulator with said one of said supports jammed in a downward position,means associated with said means displaced for actuating said means forreversing said motor means whereby said regulator is moved fromengagement with said jammed support and means actuated thereafter bysaid motor means for returning said means for reversing said motor meansto normal position.

2. Mechanism as described in claim 1, said regulator comprising anon-extensible flexible element extending beneath said supports, meansfor securing an end of said element to the bin, means for tensioningsaid element comprising an eccentric, said motor means rotating saideccentric through one complete revolution, a reciprocal plate engaged bysaid eccentric and means for connecting the other end of said element tosaid plate, said means for reversing said motor means being actuatedprior to completion of the revolution of said eccentric.

3. Mechanism as described in claim 2 including a pin on said eccentric,a channel on said plate receiving said pin, a rocker piece pivoted onsaid plate, means on said rocker piece forming an extension of saidchannel, resilient means holding said rocker piece against rotation onsaid pivot, said means for reversing said motor means including anelectric switch mounted on said plate and actuated by movement of saidrocker piece.

4. Mechanism as described in claim 3, said means actuated by said motormeans comprising a flapper mounted, adjacent to and for actuation ofsaid switch and exten-.

sion means on said eccentric for engaging said flapper after reversal ofsaid motormeans for returning said switch to normal position.

5. Mechanism as described in claim 4 including a limit switch for saidmotor means opened by said extension means on said eccentric wherebysaid eccentric is rotated through one complete revolution.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS ROBERT B. REEVES,Primary Examiner.

K. N. LEIMER, Assistant Examiner.

1. A MECHANISM FOR DISPENSING A SINGLE BOTTLE AT A TIME FROM A STACK OFBOTTLES IN A BIN, COMPRISING SUPPORTS FOR SAID BOTTLES ADJACENT THELOWER END OF THE BIN MOUNTED FOR DOWNWARD ROTARY MOVEMENT FOR RELEASINGTHE BOTTLE TO BE DISPENSED, A REGULATOR FOR CONTROL OF RELEASING OF THEBOTTLE TO BE DISPENSED DISPOSED BENEATH SAID SUPPORTS IN STAND-BYPOSITION FOR ENGAGEMENT BY SAID SUPPORTS, MOTOR MEANS FOR DRIVING SAIDREGULATOR DURING MOVEMNT OF ONE OF SAID SUPPORTS MAINTAINING ENGAGEMENTBETWEEN SAID ONE OF SAID SUPPORTS AND SAID REGULATOR, MEANS FORREVERSING SAID MOTOR MEANS, MEANS DISPLACED BY ENGAGEMENT OF SAIDREGULATOR WITH SAID ONE OF SAID SUPPORTS JAMMED IN A DOWNWARD POSITION,MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID MEANS DISPLACED FOR ACTUATING SAID MEANS FORREVERSING SAID MOTOR MEANS WHEREBY SAID REGULATOR IS MOVED FROMENGAGEMENT WITH SAID JAMMED SUPPORT AND MEANS ACTUATED THEREAFTER BYSAID MOTOR MEANS FOR RETURNING SAID MEANS FOR REVERSING SAID MOTOR MEANSTO NORMAL POSITION.